Hello, 2012!!!

Grabbed this here.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
- Be a validator/background investigator for Civil Service Commission's annual search for outstanding government employee; and
- Ride a ferry from one island to another

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- No, I didn't have NY resolutions last year. No, I'm not having resolutions this year, but I'll be setting goals instead.

3. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I spent it with the entire family at home. We had fireworks and media noche at midnight.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
- Thankfully, none.

5. What countries did you visit?
- Unfortunately, none. Hopefully this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
- A promotion at work.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- July 13-16. My hubby and I spent our 4th wedding anniversary in Bohol and Cebu.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- When one of the nominees we validated for CSC won.

9. What was your biggest failure?
- LWOPs!!!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
- I've hypertension since 1996 and high-glucose level since 2007-2008.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
- My S5570 and Sharp DVD player for the kids.

12. Where did most of your money go?
- Paying off bills and loans.

13. What song will always remind you of 2011?
- Hot n Cold by Katy Perry

14. What do you wish you'd done more of
- Spending more quality and intimate moments with my husband

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
- Unnecessary spending

16. What was your favorite TV program?
- Supernatural and Ghost Whisperer

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
-Yes, PNoy!!!

18. What was the best book you read?
- Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, M.D.


19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
- Sing Sing Together Package from the Android Market. My kids love it.


20. What was your favorite film of this year?
- I'm torn between The Tourist and Burlesque.

21. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- I turned 33 and did nothing as I had a pre-birthday celebration at Enchanted Kingdom with my family.

22. What kept you sane?
- Milo and Pretzel

23. Who did you miss?
- Lola Conching especially during Christmas.

24. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
- Do not make decisions when you're angry.

Cheers, everyone! May we all have a better 2012.

Season's Greeting 2011

33 Things I'm Thankful for @ 33

from http://cullinancakes.blogspot.com/2011/02/33rd-birthday.html

I turned 33 last November 3. So, to celebrate my 33rd year and to welcome Christmastime, here's a list of 33 things I am thankful for.

1. My husband, my significant other, the one I love the most. He is God's gift to me in spite of his imperfections and shortcomings.

2. My 4 years of marriage. It wasn't always as blissful as I imagined or hoped for, but it is, indeed, my happily ever after. No regrets.

3. My darling babies, Milo and Pretzel. They rock my world! I love them to bits.

4. Free local travels courtesy of COA and CSC. These are work-related, but it's still fun.


5. Good food.


6. My 2 "oldest" friends, Sheqs and Abbey.


7. My talent to cook and the ability to feed my family with yummy food.


8. Constant free supply of books from my sister.


9. My sisters.
Before there was Piper, Pru, Phoebe, and Paige, there was Tintin, Chelly, and Bru.


10. My little brother.


11. The Mean Girls.
Ieni, Cai, Khim, Vayie, and Tin


12. In spite of huge cut in our finances this year, we were able to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary in Bohol and Cebu.


13. Size 11 ladies' shoes readily available at local department stores.


14. My parents.


15. My in-laws.


16. My work. A promotion would be good, though. LOL


17. My education. UPIS from K-10 and DLSU for college.


18. Discount coupons/vouchers.


19. Yes, credit cards.


20. RTW plus-size clothes.


21. The courage to cut my hair short after 7 years. Nah, it has nothing to do with religion whatsoever. ;)


22. My boss, MQL. She's the bestest!!!


23. My Barneys', Jen and Aline.


24. My quick stints at 2 of the nation's top networks. Andami kong nakitang artista. LOL


25. Clean and cold drinking water. Not everyone has access to it. Let's not take in for granted.


26. The Internet.


27. Different strangers who have become acquaintances and friends.


28. My various work experiences, which make me a versatile employee.


29. My 2nd new phone this year.


30. Finally, I'm able to afford new glasses.


31. Free board and lodging at my parents' house.
I'm not a parasite, I'm just broke. LOL


32. I'm overweight, diabetic, and hypertensive. I'm not 100% healthy obviously, but I'm good. Gotta do something about the weight, though. I'm not forever young.

33.
Period.

Yummy Sunday - I dared! I liked!

Jay-J's Crispy Dinuguan (pork blood stew) is the only dinuguan I eat.

I haven't eaten dinuguan or pork blood stew in a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. From the moment I first tasted it way back God knows when, I haven't tried it again. I'm not a picky eater, but this dish is probably last on my list tied with balut. Ayoko lang talaga!!! We had dinner at Jay-J's restaurant a few weeks ago and my sister told me to try it. I did. Small bites at first and before I knew it, I was enjoying it na. It's not still my most favorite dish in the world pero hindi na ka-tie ng balut. Na-promote na. Mga pang-99 na.

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Mommy Moments - Earth-Friendly Tip

These are not my original tips. These are just some of my favorites. I practice them as much as I can.

Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth.

According to dailygreen.com, "you can also save up to 8 gallons of water a day simply by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Do the same while you shave."

Turn off the lights when not in use.

Green71.com explains that "a normal bulb will use 60 watts of energy an hour, meaning that you could conserve nearly 22,000 watts of energy per year by just switching off one bulb for one hour every day."

Think before you print.

According to panda.org, "think twice if you really need to print. If necessary, make sure you print on both sides – this is an easy way to reduce paper consumption by half."

Reuse paper.

Ehow.com has some tips on how to reuse paper:

"Save paper that has print on only one side. This paper can be reused in a variety of ways: for writing lists or notes, as drawing or coloring paper for children, for home printing that doesn't need to be professional, or shred it and use it as garden mulch or packing material."

I was contemplating on "read e-book instead" and decided against it, anyway. While e-books are more paper-friendly, I still prefer the "physical" book. I'm just so happy to find out that there's an organization that makes me feel less guilty about reading paper books - Plant a tree for every book you read.

Let's take the extra mile in caring for Mother Earth. It's the only home we have.

Yummy Sunday - My Take on Steak

Old Vine Grille's
Cheesy Steak with Asparagus and Potato Wedges

The recent long weekend brought the whole family to dine at Old Vine Grille in Eastwood City. I'm not really a big fan of steaks because I find them boring to eat and expensive. So, to be on the safe side, I ordered a not-so-OA sa mahal na steak, which is the Cheesy Steak with Asparagus and Potato Wedges. I had mine well done, but when our orders came, I got my sister's bf's order, which was medium done. I'm truly glad for the mix up. From now, I'll be ordering my steak that way - with a pinkish meat and tender to the bite.